Targeting p53, MDM2, MDMX, and PARP in triple-negative breast cancer
Official title: Pilot Research Project: Evaluating Breast Cancer Patient Populations for Therapeutic Targeting of Aberrant p53, MDM2, MDMX, and PARP signaling
Funded at Hunter College · NIH-11192803 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at tumor proteins to see if more people with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer could benefit from PARP-blocking treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hunter College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $68,985 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA221704-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192803 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with triple-negative breast cancer, especially those whose tumors show mutant p53, high MDM2/MDMX, or PARP activity and who are from the communities studied.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without triple-negative breast cancer or whose tumors lack the mtp53/MDM2/MDMX/PARP biomarker pattern are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze already-collected breast tumor samples and build tissue microarrays to measure levels of mutant p53, MDM2, MDMX, and PARP proteins. They will compare these protein patterns in tumors from African American and European American patients to identify groups with higher rates of the biomarkers. The team aims to determine whether PARP inhibitors might help patients who do not have BRCA1 mutations but do have these protein changes. The project also includes student training and community education so people in high-TNBC areas learn about biomarkers and treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could expand PARP inhibitor treatment to more people with triple-negative breast cancer based on tumor biomarkers rather than only BRCA1 mutations.
How similar studies have gone: PARP inhibitors are proven effective for BRCA-mutant breast cancers, but using mtp53/MDM2/MDMX/PARP biomarkers to broaden PARP use is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
-
Hunter College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bargonetti, Jill E. — Hunter College
- Study coordinator: Bargonetti, Jill E.
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A study aims to block two cancer-promoting pathways (IL-6 and CDK4/6) to prevent or reduce progression of triple-negative breast cancer in women veterans.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.